The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a nail-biting encounter yesterday as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) edged past the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by four wickets in the IPL 2024 Eliminator. This victory keeps RR’s championship aspirations alive as they progress to Qualifier 2.
RCB’s Batting Woes Continue:
Opting to bat first, RCB’s batting woes continued despite a decent start from Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli. While Kohli’s form has improved this season, his dismissal for 33 runs left a big void. The middle order failed to capitalize, with wickets falling at regular intervals. This trend has plagued RCB throughout the tournament, and yesterday was no different.
Boult Shines, Rajasthan’s Bowling Strength:
Trent Boult, the experienced New Zealand pacer, spearheaded RR’s bowling attack. His early dismissal of du Plessis put the brakes on RCB’s momentum. The rest of the RR bowling unit, including spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal, kept the pressure on by conceding very few boundaries. This disciplined bowling performance restricted RCB to a below-par total of 172/8.
RR’s Steady Chase with Late Heroics:
In response, RR openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson provided a stable start. While both couldn’t convert their starts into big scores, they laid a solid foundation for the middle order. Riyan Parag’s aggressive knock of 36 runs and valuable contributions from Shimron Hetmyer and David Miller kept RR in the hunt. With the match hanging in the balance, Rovman Powell displayed his power-hitting prowess, smashing a six off the last ball to seal the victory for RR.
Disappointment for Kohli and RCB:
This loss marks another year of disappointment for Virat Kohli and RCB. Despite a strong showing in the latter half of the season, their batting frailties resurfaced at a crucial juncture. Kohli, who has been chasing his maiden IPL title for years, will have to wait at least another year.
Rajasthan Royals Triumph in a Tight Eliminator: Post-Match Review
Turning Point:
The turning point of the match arguably came early in RCB’s innings. After a decent opening stand, the dismissal of Faf du Plessis by Trent Boult put the brakes on RCB’s scoring rate. This triggered a string of wickets, preventing RCB from building a strong total.
Bowling Analysis:
- Rajasthan Royals: Trent Boult impressed with his early breakthrough, while Avesh Khan’s three wickets in the death overs proved crucial. Spinners Ashwin and Chahal kept things tight, restricting boundaries.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mohammed Siraj provided a late fightback with two wickets, but overall, RCB’s bowling lacked penetration throughout the innings.
Batting Analysis:
- Rajasthan Royals: Openers Jaiswal and Samson provided a steady start, but their dismissals before reaching big scores created some tension. Cameos from Parag, Hetmyer, and the late heroics of Powell ensured RR chased down the target comfortably.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli’s dismissal for 33 runs was a big blow. The middle order failed to capitalize, leaving a meager total on the board. Mahipal Lomror’s late cameo provided some impetus, but it wasn’t enough.
Individual Performances:
- Rajasthan Royals: Rovman Powell’s six off the last ball sealed the victory and showcased his big-hitting prowess. Riyan Parag’s aggressive knock of 36 runs provided momentum in the middle overs.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mahipal Lomror’s quickfire 32 runs in the death overs offered a glimmer of hope for RCB’s total.
Impact Players:
- Rajasthan Royals: Trent Boult and Rovman Powell were the standout performers for RR. Boult’s early wicket and Powell’s last-ball six had a significant impact on the outcome of the match.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Mohammed Siraj’s late wickets provided a brief scare for RR, but his efforts ultimately proved insufficient.
Looking Ahead:
This win keeps RR’s championship dreams alive. They will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2, where another thrilling encounter is on the cards. For RCB, the elimination marks another season of disappointment. They’ll need to address their batting inconsistency in the upcoming season.
